After Caroline Seitz’s second grand slam of the weekend, the game seemed identical to Friday nights. However, instead of letting that hit define the game, Georgia rallied together, came back and defeated Mississippi State 7-6 to take game two of the series.
Amanda Ablan started for Georgia and pitched 4.1 innings. She walked nine batters and struck out five while also giving up five hits and six runs. Mary Wilson-Avant relieved her in the middle of the fifth inning. Avant completed the game and received the win improving her record to 6-6. She pitched 2.2 innings striking out two batters and giving up three hits.
Georgia struck first in the game with two runs in the second inning. Alysen Febrey set up Maeve McGuire to score on a wild pitch. Mahlena O’Neal reached on a fielder’s choice sending Febrey home making it 2-0. Mississippi State answered in the top of the third, but Georgia extended its lead to 3-1 after a Lacy Sumerlin double sent Sydni Emanuel in to score.
However, Mississippi State responded with a five-run fourth inning, taking control of the game. MSU recorded three hits, including the grand slam, and three walks during the inning. Instead of bowing down and accepting fate, Georgia took matters into its own hand putting up four unanswered runs in the final three innings . The defining moment was a S. Emanuel diving catch to end the sixth innings after MSU looked to capture the series by loading the bases.
“Sydni’s catch was outstanding, that’s a game changer and that’s how you win games,” Coach Lu Harris-Champer said. “That was a selfless team leader that she is and I am proud of her for going out there and getting the job done, it was clutch.”
Georgia’s offense posted 11 hits versus State’s eight. Cortni, S. Emanuel, Alyssa DiCarlo, and Febrey posted two hits apiece as they each played key roles in the game. However, McGuire led the team with two runs scored and two RBI’s as she hit a home run in the fifth to start Georgia’s comeback.
The series stands at 1-1 with the teams meeting for game three on Sunday at 2 p.m.